8 things Vatican II says about the Blessed Virgin Mary

Nearly 60 years ago, Vatican II recognized several titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary. But it focused on one in particular: “Mother.”

On Oct. 11, the Catholic Church marked the 60th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, more commonly known as Vatican II. While the council addressed many issues, it aimed to present the Church to the modern world. Bishops worldwide gathered at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome for the event, which consisted of a series of four deliberative sessions from 1962 until 1965.

One of the principal documents produced by the council features a chapter centered on Mary. Lumen gentium, the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, was released by Pope Paul VI on Nov. 21, 1964.

During an address that day, the Roman pontiff confirmed Mary’s title as “Mother of the Church” and called the chapter about her Lumen gentium’s “apex.”

“For it is the first time — and to say so fills our hearts with deep emotion — that an Ecumenical Council has presented such an extensive synthesis of Catholic doctrine on the place of Mary Most Holy in the mystery of Christ and of the Church,” he said.

Here are eight things it says about Mary.

‘Truly the Mother of God’

Lumen gentium describes Mary’s intimate relationship with the three persons of the Holy Trinity.

“The Virgin Mary, who at the message of the angel received the Word of God in her heart and in her body and gave Life to the world, is acknowledged and honored as being truly the Mother of God and Mother of the Redeemer,” Lumen gentium reads. “Redeemed by reason of the merits of her Son and united to Him by a close and indissoluble tie, she is endowed with the high office and dignity of being the Mother of the Son of God, by which account she is also the beloved daughter of the Father and the temple of the Holy Spirit.”

Mother of the Church

The document emphasizes that while Mary surpasses all creatures in heaven and on earth, she is, at the same time, “one with all those who are to be saved.”

“The Catholic Church, taught by the Holy Spirit, honors her with filial affection and piety as a most beloved mother,” the document reads.